bridge pickups

arnoudse · June 14th, 2004, 10:29 PM

I had a problem recently when bending high strings. When I bend up a whole step high on the fingerboard, the string moves off from above the magnet on the bridge pickup, and loses volume and tone. What I need to know is where (and what) to get a bridge pickup that has magnets all the way across so I won't lose my sound. A humbucker would be nice.

Adam Waldron · June 14th, 2004, 10:47 PM

Dude, you sure that string isn't just 'fretting out'.

You need sufficient string height to avoid that, if thats the problem.

Cheers,

Adam

arnoudse · June 15th, 2004, 11:17 AM

I don't think its that, but I'll try lowering the pickup. Thanks!

Mike Rice · June 15th, 2004, 01:08 PM

Adam's comment about "fretting out" isn't affected by the height of the PU but rather too high of an action or perhaps an uneven fret. Try raising the action just a bit on that string(s) and see if it works.

You definitely will get some bleed off when bending strings, but this will happen with buckers too. This is why some of the Lawrence and Duncan designs as well as Lace Sensors use a "blade", providing a continuous pickup surface.

A good setup including correct action and dressed frets should solve as much of the problem as most of us need solved, allowing you to use whatever PU it is you like.

arnoudse · June 15th, 2004, 01:35 PM

The "blade" style pickups were what I was thinking would cure this, and also I have very low action. Who makes some good bridge replacement pickups with blades?
thanks guys

Mike Rice · June 15th, 2004, 02:18 PM

Has a few rail style pickups, though I believe all are dual rail like the Duncan model. Some of the Dimarzio models are supposed to have more of a bucker sound, but at least a few claim to preserve single coil sound in a dual blade design. You might care to consider Bardens as well. I've not tried any of the Dimarzios but have played the Bardens. IMO they're somewhere between a single and bucker tone.

BUT!! I'm not convinced a bladed PU is going to solve all or even most of your problem if you're actually fretting out. A low action will do that to you, especially if you have the old 7.25" fretboard radius. I'd still go for a good setup and fret dress before doing anything so any experimentation is at least valid. Better yet, learn to do all or most of it yourself!

Lotsa luck!

Kelsey · June 15th, 2004, 04:34 PM

First, do you like the sound of your current pickups? If not, then go ahead and change them, but a pro set up is a must either way IMHO. If you like your pickups, then get a good setup and see where you're at. If the action is too low for the fingerboard radius and frets, then you will get a choked sound as you bend high up on the neck. If this is happening when you bend elsewhere, then there is a different problem going on.

I only start to hear a volume drop when I bend more than a whole step above the 12th fret with a proper setup, but I also prefer the modern 9.5" radius over the vintage 7.25" radius. I like my action medium high -- a higher action will minimize fretting out and will generally enhance the tone of the guitar compared to a lower action.

June 14th, 2004, 10:29 PM	#1 (permalink)
arnoudse Tele-Meister Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Michigan Posts: 123	bridge pickups I had a problem recently when bending high strings. When I bend up a whole step high on the fingerboard, the string moves off from above the magnet on the bridge pickup, and loses volume and tone. What I need to know is where (and what) to get a bridge pickup that has magnets all the way across so I won't lose my sound. A humbucker would be nice.

June 15th, 2004, 11:17 AM	#3 (permalink)
arnoudse Tele-Meister Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Michigan Posts: 123	I don't think its that, but I'll try lowering the pickup. Thanks! __________________ Drink Tea.

June 15th, 2004, 01:08 PM	#4 (permalink)
Mike Rice Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Hudson Valley Age: 48 Posts: 2,236 3 Photos	Won't do it Adam's comment about "fretting out" isn't affected by the height of the PU but rather too high of an action or perhaps an uneven fret. Try raising the action just a bit on that string(s) and see if it works. You definitely will get some bleed off when bending strings, but this will happen with buckers too. This is why some of the Lawrence and Duncan designs as well as Lace Sensors use a "blade", providing a continuous pickup surface. A good setup including correct action and dressed frets should solve as much of the problem as most of us need solved, allowing you to use whatever PU it is you like. __________________ Sure I like country music and I like mandolins, but right now I need a Telecaster through a Vibrolux turned up to 10...John Hiatt

June 15th, 2004, 02:18 PM	#6 (permalink)
Mike Rice Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Hudson Valley Age: 48 Posts: 2,236 3 Photos	Dimarzio Has a few rail style pickups, though I believe all are dual rail like the Duncan model. Some of the Dimarzio models are supposed to have more of a bucker sound, but at least a few claim to preserve single coil sound in a dual blade design. You might care to consider Bardens as well. I've not tried any of the Dimarzios but have played the Bardens. IMO they're somewhere between a single and bucker tone. BUT!! I'm not convinced a bladed PU is going to solve all or even most of your problem if you're actually fretting out. A low action will do that to you, especially if you have the old 7.25" fretboard radius. I'd still go for a good setup and fret dress before doing anything so any experimentation is at least valid. Better yet, learn to do all or most of it yourself! Lotsa luck! __________________ Sure I like country music and I like mandolins, but right now I need a Telecaster through a Vibrolux turned up to 10...John Hiatt

June 14th, 2004, 10:47 PM	#2 (permalink)
Adam Waldron Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Adelaide, Australia Posts: 607	Dude, you sure that string isn't just 'fretting out'. You need sufficient string height to avoid that, if thats the problem. Cheers, Adam

June 15th, 2004, 01:35 PM	#5 (permalink)
arnoudse Tele-Meister Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Michigan Posts: 123	The "blade" style pickups were what I was thinking would cure this, and also I have very low action. Who makes some good bridge replacement pickups with blades? thanks guys

June 15th, 2004, 04:34 PM	#7 (permalink)
Kelsey Tele-Holic Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 716	First, do you like the sound of your current pickups? If not, then go ahead and change them, but a pro set up is a must either way IMHO. If you like your pickups, then get a good setup and see where you're at. If the action is too low for the fingerboard radius and frets, then you will get a choked sound as you bend high up on the neck. If this is happening when you bend elsewhere, then there is a different problem going on. I only start to hear a volume drop when I bend more than a whole step above the 12th fret with a proper setup, but I also prefer the modern 9.5" radius over the vintage 7.25" radius. I like my action medium high -- a higher action will minimize fretting out and will generally enhance the tone of the guitar compared to a lower action.